By Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife,
CORVALLIS- Rewards increased to $1,500 for information on the person or persons who illegally used a crossbow to kill two buck deer in Corvallis earlier this month. Both deer suffered as they died from embedded arrows, in two separate incidents.
The Mid-Willamette chapter of Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) voted by phone for an urgent increase in the reward to address the reckless and illegal use of the weapon.
OSP F&W asks members of the public to report anyone they see carrying a crossbow in the area. Anyone with information relating to this case should contact OSP’s Albany Fish and Wildlife office via dispatch at 800-442-2068 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number #SP24-383408.
Both deer died near NW Walnut and NW Witham Hill Drive in Corvallis. Investigators believe the deer were shot around Oct. 25, 2024, and Nov. 18, 2024.
The standard reward amount for information that leads to an arrest or citation in a deer poaching case is $1,000. Reporting parties may remain anonymous and can opt for four ODFW hunter preference points instead of the cash reward.
“Our priority is to protect deer and elk, and their habitats, across the state,” said Mid-Willamette chapter President, Ken McCall, “Someone knows who did this, and we want to encourage that person to do the right thing and come forward.”
In Oregon, it is unlawful to hunt game mammals with a crossbow. OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers received multiple calls from members of the public related to the deer, seen wandering in the area. One had an arrow lodged near its spine; the other had an arrow lodged in its neck.
Neighbors have expressed outrage at the news on the NextDoor forum. McCall, a Corvallis resident, feels directly impacted by both poaching incidents.
“I’ve seen deer- probably those two same deer- there in the past, and for me it’s always special,” he said. “My hope of course is to be able to legally hunt them, but even if I can’t, bucks like this are contributing good genes to local herds. We are fortunate to have the wildlife we do,” he said.
McCall was quick to raise the alarm when he saw the OSP News Flash Alert on Tuesday. Within hours, he had secured the votes necessary to increase rewards to $1,500.
OHA, an 11,000-member strong non-profit, contributes to the ongoing security of Oregon’s deer and elk populations through habitat conservation efforts including replanting areas burned by fire, removing migration barriers, and supporting wildlife crossing areas near roadways. They also raise the alarm when it comes to poaching. OHA started the Turn In Poachers reward fund more than 10 years ago, and has given more than $100,000 in reward money to people who turn in poachers.
The Protect Oregon’s Wildlife- Turn in Poachers campaign educates the public on how to recognize and report poaching. This campaign is a collaboration among state agencies, sportsmen and other conservationists, landowners, and recreationists to engage the public in combatting Oregon’s poaching problem. Our goal is to: Incentivize reporting on wildlife crimes through the TIP Line; Strengthen enforcement by increasing the number of OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers; and Support prosecution in becoming an effective deterrent. The campaign helps to protect and enhance Oregon’s fish and wildlife and their habitat for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Contact campaign coordinator Yvonne Shaw for more information. [email protected]. Or visit the website: https://www.protectoregonswildlife.com/
If you know of or suspect other crimes against fish wildlife or habitat, please report to the Turn In Poachers (TIP) Line. 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Or email: [email protected].
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